Mechanical exerciser



Nov. 11, 1941. R. DE CAMP MECHANICAL EXERCISER 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 20, 1958 l'Ro q LDe gmmw W16) Sammy Nov. 11, 1941. R DE CAMP MECHANICAL EXERCISER Filed Sept. 20, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 11, 1941.

R. L. DE C AMP MECHANICAL EXERCISER Filed Sept. 20, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 11, 1941. R, DE A P 2,262,271

MECHANICAL EXERC IS ER Filed Sept. 20, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 49 I I9). a I o jg I i 55 f5 50 j j 140 i 144 136 1 i 157 I 39 153 W 3 122 1a Nov. 11, 1941.

R. L. DE CAMP MECHANICAL EX'ERGISER Filed Sept. 20, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Nov. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MECHANICAL EXERCISER Roy L. De Camp, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 20, 1938, Serial No. 230,811

29 Claims. (Cl. 128-52) The present invention is a method and means for subjecting the body of a person to exercise treatments which consist in subjecting the muscles and joints of the body to movements or exercises in a novel manner.

Methods and apparatus of this same general type have been previously known and placed in use with considerable beneficial result. However, the present invention differs from such known devices in that it enables independent horizontal or vertical movements and by the simultaneous use of the means to be hereinafter described for causing individual horizontal and vertical movements enables these movements to be combined as desired to provide a complete circular movement or an elliptical movement, the extent or dimensions of either of which may be increased or decreased and whose axis may be shifted in any direction with respect to the pa tient.

A further difference between the present invention and the known prior art is the provision of an independent adjustment of the tension on the shackled head, arms or feet of the patient to obtain a fine and exact adjustment in the stretching treatment of the most delicate parts of a patient; and to provide for the rotation of the patients head while under tension; and to provide for the shifting of the tension to either side of the body of the patient to increase it on one side and to diminish it on the other, as may be desirable or required.

By the use of the present invention, muscles are strengthened and built up and made to function so as to maintain a good healthy physical condition, while at the same time breaking down surplus fat tissues, thus correcting obesity; also, particularly in connection with the tensioning features, the invention tends largely to break down spinal, lumbar and other joint lesions and affords relief from congestion due to contracted or cramped muscular conditions. I therefore claim that its use, subsequent to proper diagnosis by a member of the medical profession, and with localized application within the adjustable limits of its mechanical construction, provides invaluable and unequalled assistance in the treatment of any muscular and spinal diseases.

The method of my invention may be carried out by an apparatus as shown in the accompanying drawings, and which accomplishes the improved results aimed at, and incorporates therein the various adjustments and movements above referred to in addition to other features which will appear as the specification proceeds, the machine combining within its capacity the advantages of every kind of physical exercise with the additional advantage of graduating, localizing and proportioning this exercise to muscles which are very little used and therefore weak, stiif or shrunken, thereby effecting the most desirable objective tending toward physical health in producing and maintaining perfect lateral as well as anterior and posterior spinal balance.

The apparatus illustrated for carrying out the invention is constructed in the form of a table upon which the patient may lie with his head at either end, according to the type of treatment to which he is to be subjected, each end of the table being provided with the same means to which the adjacent extremities of the patient, such as his head, arms and legs, may be shackled for stretching purposes, when it is desirable to use such means. The top of the table is divided into sections, one end section being adapted to oscillate in an upward and downward vertical are or to oscillate sidewise in a horizontal arc, or being adapted to be subjected simultaneously to a combination of said oscillating movements which will describe a circle or an ellipse, the extent of the circle or ellipse being adapted to be increased or diminished in size according to requirements or to shift the center of the circle or ellipse to the right or left, or upwardly or downwardly with respect to the normal vertical horizontal center of the table in varying degree, as may be required or desired, the stretching means at said end of the table being movable therewith. Thus one-half of the body of the patientsay from the waist downmay be subjected to said vertical or horizontal movements or a combination thereof, or conversely as may be desired, and/or at the same time subjected to the stretching action of said stretching means.

The apparatus of the present invention further embodies sundry novel details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, which show the preferred embodiment, by way of example, for carrying out the present invention:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my mechanical exercising machine;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section between the points 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section along lines 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section along line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a section along line 65 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section along line l--'! of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section along line 8-43 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a detail;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged section taken on the line IIl-II! of Fig. 3, showing the latch mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a section along line !I! I of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a. transverse section along line I2-! 2 of Fig. 10; i

Fig. 13 is a vertical section along line I3-!3 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary elevation of the left end of Fig. 3, with the table arm swung up;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary horizontal section along line I5-I5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 16 is a section along line I6!5 of Fig.

Figs. 17, 18, 19 and 20 are diagrammatic views indicating the relative position of the moving parts of the machine;

Fig. 21 is a section on line 2! -2I of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 22 is a plan view of a detail.

My exercising machine consists of a stand or cabinet 30 having on top thereof a treating table comprising, what may be termed, a main table section 3!, and an articulated 0r swiveled table section 32, and further having therein and below the table a power plant or motivating unit consisting of a motor 33, a worm gear reducer 34 with cranks 35 and 39 on a gear shaft 36 and also a tension device T. The main stand or cabinet 30 serves as a medium for supporting the other parts and consists of four corner posts 38 with cross bars 45 and is preferably inclosed by a covering plate or casing 4!.

The main tab-1e section 3! comprises a frame, preferably, of two spaced parallel angle irons 42 forming the sides of the frame and connected at their ends, respectively, by cross members 43 and 45, and intermediate cross or tie frames 44 and 45 spaced with respect to each other and said end members. The members 43 and 44 are at the inner end of the table section 3! and are of a length to extend for a distance beyond the side bars 42 so as to support the body grippers 49 and 52. The end of the table, within the confines of the members 43 and 44, is covered by a plate 4'! provided with slots 43 inwhich two pairs of grippers 49 and 52 are symmetrically arranged for the purpose of engaging the body of the patient and maintaining it in proper position on the table. The grippers 49 and 52 are each slidable transversely of the table section 3! inwardly and outwardly on right and left hand screws 59, operated by cranks or hand wheels 5!; The arcuate grippers 49 and 52 (see Figs. 3 and 4), are each pivoted on hinges 53 which have nut portions threaded on the screws 50. These grippers are held in position by stayrods 54 adjusted and clamped by hinged latches 55.

The entire main table section 3| is free to reciprocate longitudinally of the stand or cabinet 35 in a horizontal plane and is supported by rollers 96 and 9'! (see Figs. 3, 4 and 5) running in the guides 98 and 99 on the frame 42 of the cabinet 30. The table section 3! has cushions W0 and It! (see Figs. 1 and 3) upon which the patient may lie and which cover the entire top of the frame 42. These cushions have not been shown in Fig. 2 for the sake of clearness.

The reciprocating motion of the table section 3!, just described, and which is under the influence of a tension device T during operation of the apparatus, cooperates with a stretching device S, located at the outer end of the table section 3! and carried by the cabinet 36, to which the head and/or arms of the patient in one instance, or the feet in another instance, may be connected, there being a similar stretching device S at the other end of the table to which the opposite extremities of the patient, to those which are attaching to the stretching device S, may be secured.

The tension device T comprises a normally substantially horizontal beam 31, preferably fulcrumed intermediate its ends, as at 63, between two corner posts 38 of the stand 38. A balancing weight 62 is mounted on rollers 58 which may travel along the beam 3! to move the weight to each side of the fulcrum 63 by means of a screw 64 journaled in the beam and carrying an adjustment hand wheel 65. The weight beam 3! is connected to the main table section 3! by a tension rod 56 connected at one end with re lease mechanism R on the center portion of the cross member 44 of the table section 3! (see Figs. 1, 2, 3, 10, 11 and 12), and connected at its other end to bellcrank lever 65 (see Fig. 3) on the stand 30, which lever 68 is connected to the beam 3'! by the link 6!. I

There are, preferably a pair of tension springs I 64, anchored at one end to cross member I 72 affixed to frame 3!], one On each side of the tension rod 55, and their connection with the latter is by means of an equalizing yoke I10 swiveled at IT! to a forked bar I65 having an ear I53 to which a clevis 68 on an end of the tension rod 55 is pivotally connected. The bar I65, thus, forms an extension of the tension rod 55 and slidably mounted in a slot in the cross member 44 of the main table section 3! for the release mechanism R. Between the forks of the bar IE5 is journaled a roller I56 which cooperates with a latch I 6'! pivoted to the cross member 44 and lying between the forks of the bar I55 (see Figs. 10, 11 and 12), so thatwhen the latch I6! engages the roller I66, as shown-the pull exerted by the springs I64 and weight 62 is in the direction of the arrow at in Fig. 10, which tends to draw the cross member 44 and all components of the main table section 3!, including the tension rod 56, to the right of Figs. 1, '2 and 3. An electrical solenoid IE8 is secured in the cross frame 44 and has a link connection I13 with the latch It! and when electrically energized, pulls the latch I6! from the roller I56, thus releasing the tension of the spring I64 and weight 52 from the table section 3!, and, consequently, from the patient. The weight 62 will, of course, then drop and the tension rod 56 with all attachments will move freely in the direction of arrow 1:, Fig. 10.

To reset the tension device T, operation of its hand wheel 65 to move the weight 62 to the left, in Fig. 3, beyond the fulcrum point 63 where th tension of the springs I64 is effective, will cause the tension rods 56 and I55 to move to the left until roller I66 engages the finger I69 on the latch I 51, thus returning the latch I 3! to its latched engagement with the roller I65 and resetting the core in the solenoid I68. Of course, the weight 62 will then be suitably adjustedto a position to the right of the fulcrum 63 by hand wheel 65.

The solenoid I58 and the motor 33 are fully electrically controlled by means of push buttons (not shown). The electrical equipment, besides the motor 33 and solenoid I 68, consists of two magnetically operated, mechanically interlocked contactor switches (not shown) for forward and reverse operation of the motor 33, and is of the kind supplied by Square D Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This, together with another switch, is fastened to the cabinet 30 inside of the housing I 01. A push button station is fastened to the cabinet 30 at the front thereof for convenient operation. This station has for- ..J

ward, stop and reverse buttons operating said switches. A push button is placed in the shackled grasp of the patient and operates a two-pole two-throw magnetically operated contactor switch, which, when energized by the patient pressing the button, simultaneously breaks the electric circuit of the electrical switches stopping the motor 33 and energizing the solenoid I68, thus releasin the tension roller I66.

The stretching device S consists of two tubes 66 in, which are slidably mounted rods or tubes 66a locked by clamps 61 (see Figs. 1 and 3). Mounted to slide on the rods 66a is a stator "I carrying an upright 'II rigidly fastened to stator (see Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9). the upright 1| are collars I2 and I3, respectively. The collar I2 carries ball or roller bearings 12a upon which rides the collar 15a. The collar I3 has on its lower face a series of grooves 73a for engaging dogs on collar 1611. the collars 15a and 16a and the upright 1| extends the rod I4. The collar I3 carries the clamping device 69 which, when tightened, forces the collar 16a upward, engaging the dogs thereon with the rooves 13a and thus prevents ro- 1 tation of the rod 1.4. On the collars 15a and 16a are secured a pair of cross members, or yokes, I5 and I6, respectively, the outer ends of which are connected by a pair of vertical side bars TI.

The upright II also provides a support for a stretching device for the patients head or feet, which consists of bracket I8 adjustable to position up and down on the upright II and adapted to be locked in adjusted position by a set screw I9. In the bracket I8 is threaded an adjusting screw 81 actuated by the hand wheel fast thereon and provided on its free end with a ball 82 swivelly engaging in the socket 83. A link 84 connects the socket 83 with a measuring scale 85 carrying a head shackle H.

On the frame provided by the side bars 71 are mounted hooks 86 slidable up and down to any desired position and secured by tightening the clamps 81 to the uprights TI. A horizontal bar 88 is centralized between and supported by 1 the hooks 86 and has longitudinally adjustable sleeves 89 on the end portions thereof, which sleeves are held in position by means of clamp nuts 90. These sleeves 89 may have attached thereto arm or leg shackles L for the patient.

I The entire stretching device S supported by the stator 10, is slidably adjustable back and forth on tubes 66a in a substantially horizontal plane by screw 9I threaded in a head 92 joining the end rods 66a and having one end connected with the stator I0, as at 94, and its other end carrying hand wheel 93. The screw operated by wheels 93 is not used for increasing or decreasing the amount of tension or stretch on the body of the patient, but is exclusively for On the ends of 1 Through adjustment of the position of the body of the patient for proper treatment. Stretching or tensioning of the body during the operation of the machine, on the other hand, is accomplished by springs I64 and weight 62. The tension varies in a sinusoidal curve caused by the lifting and lowering of the weight 62 caused by the motion of the table 3| floating on rollers 91. This variation in tension is a desirable feature as when the displacement from normal of the table 32 becomes greater the tension becomes less. The employment of springs or weights, used singly or in combination, for stretching the patients body, have been found to be of particular advantage over prior practices using compressed air, vacuum, or a feed screw, because the springs provide a snappier motion in that it assists in overcoming the inertia of the Weight and because the adjustable weight provides means for furnishing an absolutely measured amount of tension. The stretching device S is slidably attached to the tube 66b and is an absolute duplicate of the stretching device S The tube 66 which carries the stretching device S is a force fit in the socket 660 in cross member 44.

The swiveling table section 32 is designed so that any point thereon may be moved either in a horizontal are or a vertical are on a center adjacent to the table 3|. Hereinafter, when I refer to oscillate, I mean that any point on the swiveling table section 32 may be moved through these arcs. Also these motions can be combined to impart to the swiveling table 32, motions which will cause any point thereon to rotate through a circular or elliptical path and the extent or diameters of these motions may be varied or the center of these motions may be shifted to the right or to the left and above or below the normal center at the intersection of the normal vertical and horizontal center lines through the table. This movement is accomplished by the mechanism now to be described. A horizontal spindle I03 is attached at its ends to lugs I04 on the cabinet 30 (see Figs. 1, 3, 13 and 14). A sleeve or hub I02 is rotatably mounted on the spindle I03 and has a socket I05 at the center thereof. In the socket I05 is fixed a depending and non-rotatable shaft or rod I05 which is designed to support the sleeve I08 and its operating mechanism, including the motor 33. Surrounding the rod I06 is the sleeve I08 which has top and bottom bearings at I09 and H0 which permit the sleeve I08 with all its attachments to revolve horizontally around the axis of the rod I06. On the hub I02 is attached a plate III (see Figs. 1, 3 and 14), which forms a guard to prevent the falling down between the cushions or the moving parts of the machine of any coverings or garments on the patients body.

To the sleeve IDS is secured a two-armed bracket II2 by means of bolts I 0811 which sup ports the sockets H3 in which are fastened two parallel tubes 66 (see Figs. 1, 3 and 14), in the outer ends of which are slidably mounted rods 68a (see Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 8). At the other ends of the tubes are locking clamps 61 with a clamping lever II5 which secures the rods 66a in any desired adjusted position. Attached to the clamp 61 is a lug II4 for engaging the two rods H6. The rods I I6 are connected with the lower end of the sleeve I08, as shown in Figs. 1 and 14.

The swiveling table 32, shown clearly in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 14, is covered by a cushion I20 attached to bracket I2I which is adjustable along the length of the tubes 66 to suit the position of the patients body and is locked in such position by an adjusting clamp II'9.

A bevel gear I22, fastened on rod I06, is positioned by the bottom of the sleeve or tube I08. Meshing with this gear is a pinion I23 which is keyed to a spindle I24 rotatably mounted in brackets I25, which latter are fixed on the tube I03. At the bottom of the brackets is secured a bonnet or casing IIl'I which supports the motor 33 at one end and the speed reducing worm gear 34 at the other end with the customary shaft connection I26. A bracket I29 is secured to the tube I08 intermediate the ends and provides bearings for a rotatable shaft I28 which has lever I2'I keyed to one end and a carrier I30 keyed to its other end (Figs. 13 and 14). In the housing or carrier I30 (see Fig. 3) an adjusting screw I3I is mounted and actuated by handwheel I32. A nut I33 providing a bearing for a clevis I34 is mounted to travel on said screw I3I. The axis of the center pin I16, which pivotally connects the nut I33 with clevis I34, is at the same distance and in the same direction from the screw I3I as the axis of the shaft I28. The pivot center I76 of the clevis I34 and nut I33 are adjustableto the right or left (see Fig. 3) on screw I3I. The clevis I34 is connected through right and left-hand threaded rods I35 and I36 to another clevis I31 fastened by a pivot pin I33 to the lever I39 which is keyed to a spindle I24 with pinion I23. Adjacent ends of the right and lefthand threaded screws I35 and I36 are joined by correspondingly threaded bosses of a handwheel I40. A clevis I42 is pivotally attached to the lever I27 by a pin and connected by means of a tension rod I43 and clevis I44 to a crank 33 on the shaft36 of the worm gear 34.

It will now be obvious that any movement of the worm gear crank 39 will be transmitted to the levers I2! and carrier I30 and will cause them to oscillate about the axis of the pin. I28, which coincides with that of the shaft to which are attached levers I21 and carrier I30, and will transmit no movement to the threaded rods I35 and I36" when the axis I16 of the clevis I34 coincides with the axis of pin I28, but that any movement of the nut I33 from this center would create a movement of said rods I35 and I36 depending upon its position off-center and this, in turn, will transmit movement to the pinion I23 through the lever I39. As this pinion I23 meshes with the stationary bevelled gear I22, which is keyed to the vertical rod I06, it will cause all parts attached to the sleeve or tube I08 to oscillate in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rod I06, the degree of oscillation depending upon the relative distance between the axis of the pin I16 in nut I33 and the axis of the pivot I28. With proper adjustment the extent of movement horizontally will be equal on each side of the center of the machine.

The adjustment wheel I operates through its right and left-hand threaded bosses with the two ends of the threaded rods I35 and I36 to shorten or lengthen the distance between the clevises I 34 and I3'I which, it is obvious, will throw the above-mentioned centralizing movement off its horizontal center, thus providing for the movementfor such portion of the patients body as is lying on cushion I20 and shackled to the stretching device S in a horizontal direction an equal distance to each side of the central line of the machine, or an equal distance to each side of an off-center position, determined by an adjustment through wheel I40 caused by pinion I23 running around the bevelled gear I22.

An elbow lever I'I 'I is mounted. by pivot pins .8 in the bearings I4I of bracket II2, to which lever is fastened, by means of guide rods I45, a separator I46 (see Figs. 3, 14 and 15). The members IT! and I46 constitute bearings for a screw I4! on which, and on the rods I45, a nut I48 is mounted to travel. To'this nut is attached a thrust rod I50 through the ball joint I49. A similar ball joint I5I on the other end of this thrust rod revolves in a nut I52, which moves back and forth along the screw I53 operated by hand wheel I54, the support for the screw I53 being permanently secured to one wall of the main standard or cabinet 30. A clevis I55 is hingedly suspended from the lever I7! and connects by a, tension rod I56 with a clevis I5! and through the crank 35 to the worm gear shaft 36.

It is manifest that any movement of the crank 35, although transmitted to lever I", will. not transmit motion any further while the center of pin. H8 coincides with the center of the ball joint I43 of nut I48. The center of rotation of the ball joint I49 is in a line which intersects the axis of the pin II8. This nut I48 is adjustable up and down on the screw I41 by a flexible shafting gear connection at I59 (see Fig. 4) to a hand wheel I60 carried on the frame of the cabinet 33. If the ball joint I49 is moved'off of its coaxial position in respect to pin I I8 by movement of nut I48, this will transmit movement of the worm. gear to all parts attached to the hub I02, causing the same to rock in a vertical plane around the axle I03, thus moving such portion of the patients body that lies on cushion iZIl upwardly and downwardly equal distances from the horizontal, depending upon the adjustment of the nut I43. If the position of pivot bearings MI is changed lengthwise by operating the wheel I54 (shown to the right of Fig. 3), it will be obvious that this provides for an up and down movement of the cushion I20 an equal distance from a center above or below the horizontal, as adjusted.

It will also be clear that during the horizontal movements of cushion I20, the nut I48 revolves in a horizontal are around the axis of the rod I06 in the tube I08 and there will occur a lengthening of the distance between the ball joint I5I and the nut I46 which would cause the cushion I20 to prescribe a vertical movement. This movement is, however, very minute because of the very short are through which the nut I48 travels, and for the purpose of my invention, the vertical movement when the center of the ball joint I49 coincides with the center of the pin I58, there is no substantial vertical movement in the cushion Furthermore, the horizontal and vertical oscillating movement of the table 32 and its cushion I20 may be combinedlby the adjustment above described, to permit them to function simultaneously, thus creating various circular or elliptical movements of the cushion I20 by either it throwing on center upwards or downwards a sufficient distance or increasing or decreasing the dimensions and diameter thereof, or both. Only in case of a circular or elliptical movement in one direction will a reversal of movement be desirable, and such may be then accomplished by reversing the direction of rotation of the motor 33 by means of a switch (not shown).

In the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the Weight 62 andtension springs I64 are pulling the main table section 3| to the right. Operation of the hand wheel 65 will move the weight 62 a sufiicient distance to the left of the fulcrum 63 to overcome the tension of the springs I64 and leave the main table 3| in a neutral position insofar as tension is concerned. It is in this position that the patients body is placed on the cushions I00, IOI and I20 of the table and his arms and legs are shackled to S and S at the ends of the machine. The center of movement desired in the patients body over the center of movement of spindle I03 is adjusted by sliding the rods 66a and 66b, with their attachments, in or out, and, by adjustment, through both tension wheels 93 at the ends of the apparatus. In this manner the slack is taken out of the patients body. The weight 62 is then moved on the lever 68 to the right of Figs. 1 and 3 by the hand wheel 65 to a position which, in conjunction with springs I64, will create the desired and measured tension of the body of the patient at the time it passes through such movements as described above.

It will be noted that the legs and arms of the patient are respectively and independently secured to the sleeves 89 on the shackle bars 88 and that the head is shackled to brackets 18 through their intermediate attachments, and that while the general stretching of the patients body is exactly measured by a scale (not shown) on the weight beam 31, the tension on the head and neck of the patient is independently adjustable by members 80 and measured on the scale 85.

While the drawings show that the patients head and upper body are placed on the table 32, it should be remembered that the machine is just as useful with the patients head and upper part of the body on the table 3 I.

The side bars 11 (see Figs. 6 and 8) to which the arms and legs are attachable, are freeto swivel about the axis of the vertical rod 14 so that the tension becomes uniform on each arm and each leg as independently shackled. The side bars 11 may be rendered stationary or held in an adjusted swiveled position by operation of handle 69 which will draw the bottom bearing 13, fast to the tube 1I, into locked engagement with the bracket 16, thus looking it to the saddle 10 (see Figs. 6 and 9). The side bars 11 can therefore be either free to turn or be locked in the desired position as regards the axis of shaft 14 so as to create more tension on one arm or leg of the patients body than on the other.

I have not considered it necessary to show the customary connections of the motor 33 to the operating switch or any of the electric wiring. However, the solenoid I68 (see Figs. 4 and 10) is wired into the control mechanism so as to be actuated by a button switch connection placed in the shackled hand of the patient. It is possible that either a mental or physical unpleasantness might be temporarily experienced by the patient without the knowledge of the operator. The pressing of this button in the hand of the patient will then not only stop the motor 33, but, through the solenoid I68 and the latch I61 of the tension rod 56, also completely releases the tension in the manner previously described (see Figs. 10, 11 and 12) It is to be understood that power for all functions, aside from manual adjustment, is derived from a single power unit, preferably consisting of an electric motor 33 operating through a worm, main shaft I26 (Figs. 13 and 14) and gear 34 to reduce the speed to the desired number of I revolutions per minute, this being a mechanism too well known to require further description or detailed drawings. One end of the worm gear shaft 36 is provided with a crank 39 performing the functions of the horizontal movement of the swiveling table 32, and the other end of said shaft with a second crank 35 performing the vertical movement of the same. The complete revolutions of these cranks transmit a reciprocating movement through the various levers and rods to the oscillating table 32.

Referring to the horizontal movement, (see Figs. 1, 3 and 14), the complete revolution of crank 39 transmitted through clevis I 44, rod I43 and clevis I42, causes a reciprocating movement to lever I21. This lever, integral as to movement with housing I30 and both being securely keyed to the same shaft I28, transmits the same arc of movement to housing I30, which, in turn, transmits said movement in an adjusted amount to lever I39 through clevises I34 and I31, right and left-hand threaded rods I35 and I36 and hub of hand wheel I40. As a great strain is placed on the key fastening the housing I 30 to the shaft I28, it is necessary that the key be made of very strong and durable metal and be of sufficient size to prevent shearing. The housing I30 is a unit, which consists of a screw I3I, nut I33 and hand wheel I32 (see Fig. 3). The adjustment of these parts is performed as follows:

Turning of the hand wheel I32, the screw I3I moves, to right or left of Fig. 3, the nut I 33 to which clevis I34 is attached and, if moved to the left until the axis of the pivot pin I16 of nut I33 coincides with the axis of shaft I28, on which housing I30 is keyed, it will be obvious that no movement will then take place of lever I39; also that the farther said nut I 32 is moved to the right, (see Fig. 3), the greater will be the arc of movement transmitted to lever I 39.

Since lever I39 and pinion I23 turn together, and both being keyed to the same spindle I24,

and pinion I23 being in mesh with the bevel gear I22 fixed on rod I06, fast in the rotatable sleeve I02, the sleeve I08 will remain stationary insofar as any movement around the center of said rod I 06 is concerned unless lever I 39 is actuated. Accordingly, the turning of pinion I23 by the lever I39 causes every part attached to the tube I08, including swiveling table 32, to move through a horizontal are around the rod I06, the amount of this travel being adjustable through a handwheel I32.

The increase or decrease of the distance between pivot pin I16 in not I33 and the pivot pin I38, through clevis I31 and lever I39, by means of the right and left hand threaded rods I35 and I36 actuated by the turning of the hand wheel I40, will shift the center of this movement to the right or left of a center line drawn through the table.

Referring now to Figures 17 to 20, representing charts of movement and assuming that line Y-Y, Fig. 17, represents a vertical line through the center of the swivel table and C represents the horizontal-vertical center point of the same, normally then the extended end of the swiveling table 32 operates through the described mechanism in an arc to the right or to the left of this center point an equal distance each side of the same to the extreme marked 2A and 3A or by adjustment to any intermediate equal distance each side of said center, or to no movement at all by operating hand wheel I32. Adjustment of and 3A, or 2A" and 3A".

resulting will be in a horizontal plane either handwheel I453 shifts the center of this movement to the right or to the left of said center line Y-Y any distance within its adjustable limits, represented in the extreme by line YLYL to the left and YRYR to the right. The movement then resulting will be an adjustable equal amount upon each side of the center which again is represented in the extremes of each case at thepoint 2A and 3A.

Now considering the vertical movement, the complete revolution of the crank 35 transmits through clevis I51 and rod I56 and clevis I55 a rocking movement to lever III, the arc of this movement being centered on pin IIB. With this lever I'll are combined screw I41, guides I45, nut I48 and separator Hi6, and the rocking movement of lever I'I'I creates a push or a pull against the thrust rod I59 which, being stationary as to this movement, causes the tube Hi8 (and its attached parts) to describe an arc in the vertical direction about the shaft I83 through rotatable sleeve I92, said tube I08 being attached to lever II! by the two-armed bracket II2 which supports the swiveling table 32.

Adjustment of the handwheel I55 shifts the center C up or down any distance within its adjustable limits, represented in the extreme by the intersection of the lines YY with the lines 2A The movement then above the normal 2A and 3A or below the normal adjustable equal amount upon each side of the center, which center can be, as aforedescribed, moved to right or left.

The nut I48 contains a socket for ball joint no movements will be transmitted, but the farther the nut I 48 is adjusted downwardly, the greater will be the movement. The right hand end of the thrust rod I51) has a similar ball and socket joint I5I, see Fig. 3, the socket of which is integral with the nut I52 which is movable back and forth along the screw I53 by turning the hand wheel I54.

Referring now to diagrammatic Figure 19, the

line AA represents a horizontal center line through the swiveling table 32 and C indicates the horizontal-vertical point. Normally the extended or left end of the swiveling table 32, see Fig. 1, will oscillate, actuated by the mechanism described, an equal distance above and below this center'plane to extremes represented by 2l33E- or to any intermediate equal distance on each side of this center point C, or to no movement at all, depending on the adjustment by the hand wheel I-Efl whichis attached to the end of the flexible shaft I I? of the gear I59. An adjustment through the hand wheel I54 shifts this center of movement above or below the horizontal center any distance between lines representing extremes and marked CU above and CD below and the movement then transmitted will be adjustable an equal distance above and below these centers.

With due consideration to a combination of operations, it will be obvious that, by means of hand wheel I54, the center of any movement accomplished through the horizontal mechanism can be shifted above or below the center line through C, referring to diagram Figure 18, the extremes of this movement being represented by lines ZBU above and .ZBD below. In these respective positions, or at any intermediate point,

between the same and center C, horizontal movement will be made an equal distance, each side of the vertical center line ZBU and 23D. Also by adjustment made through the hand wheel Hill, the center of the vertical movement can be shifted to the right or to the left of center C in diagram, Figure 20, to points EAR or ZAIJ, representing the extremes and any movement trans mitted by the vertical mechanism will be an equal amount above and below these extreme positions or any intermediate position or any equal amount above and below line 2AL-2AR..

Adjustment of hand wheel Idil shifts the center C up or down any distance within its adjustable limits, represented in extreme by the intersection of the line 2B--3B and the line XX or Y--Y. The movement then resulting will be in a vertical plane either to right or left of the normal 2B and 3B or adjustable equal amounts above and below the center, which center may be, as aforedescribed, moved up or down.

It should be noted that in these diagrams, C

denotes the center point, R denotes right, L

denotes left of the vertical center line through C and U denotes up or above and D denotes down or below as regards the horizontal center line'through center point C. Through these cornbinations of movement it will be understood that the swiveling table 32 can be given not only a circular movement but also an elliptical movement. As both a horizontal and a vertical movement are imparted simultaneously to the table 32, thetable 32 will rotate through a curve which will be a circle if the horizontal movement and the vertical movement are equal, and an ellipse with its long axis in the direction in which the movement is greatest. As long as both a horizontal and a vertical movement are imparted simultaneously to the table 32 by the means described, a rotation is necessary and oscillation is impossible. The only movement possible with the devices now at present known is a circle about a single center point.

By rotating through a curve is meant that any point on the table 32 will move in a curve which has as a center of rotation the point where the center lines of the shaft I06 and the spindle I63 intersect. The curve thus described becomes an enclosed figure in space when both horizontal and vertical movement are imparted to the table 32. I define as circular movement this curve with its center at the stated intersection when both the horizontal and vertical movement imparted to the table are equal and as an elliptical movement when either one of the horizontal or vertical movements is greater than the other.

An important feature of my invention lies in the cooperative relationship established between the stretching device S and the tension means T. This relation is important in that by the means as illustrated I am enabled to apply to the patient just that amount of tension deemed advisable or necessary and to maintain that tension without substantial variation irrespective of the exercising movement to which the patient is subjected. This I am able to do because of the control I maintain of the movement of the table 3I. The table 3| is mounted to move longitudinally and the separation of this table from the movable tension post SI determines the tension on the patient. The movement of the table 3| is controlled by the beam 31 and the resistance to the movement of the table 3| is primarily determined by the weight 62 carried by the beam 31. The beam 31 is pivotally supported at 83 so that it may pivot in a vertical plane; thus the beam may pivot to maintain the tension determined by the position of the weight 62 irrespective of the movement of the patient or the separation or movement of the table 3| with relation to the tension posts S-| and S. The tension post S is carried by the table 3|; a simple illustration being that when the upper portion of the body of the patient is bent downwardly from the hips, as viewed in Figure l, the distance from the posts S| to the post S will vary, causing an increase in tension applied to the patient unless the table 3| moves in response to this tendency to increase the tension. The amount of increase in tension should the table 3| be held from movement is a variable factor, depending upon the patient, and primarily the thickness of the patient at the point of pivot or, as in this example, the hips. A very thin person causes little increase in tension, while a very heavy person causes a great increase in tension. This variable factor because of the fact that the varying thickness of the person at the point of bending, results in a variation of the fulcrum formed at the point of the bend. This variation of the fulcrum results in an apparent greater or less distance or separation between the tension posts S and S-l. By the means which I have provided, I have, however, substantially eliminated this factor of increase in tension and have also made the same independent of the weight or physical characteristics of the patient. The resistance to the movement of the table 3| to accommodate for this apparent separation of the posts S and S-| is accommodated for by the beam 31 and the springs "54, and as this apparent separation occurs either to move apart the posts S-| and S2, or to bring the same together, the beam 31 pivots upon the pivot 63 so that the tension upon the patient is maintained dependent solely upon the weight 62 and position of this weight. Thus at all times the tension upon the patient is maintained substantially uniform ir respective of the movement of the patient.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the steps of method or details of contruction here shown and disclosed, but that these may be varied widely without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A mechanical exerciser comprising a table, a table articulated to said first named table, said articulated table being movable in a substantially horizontal arc and in a substantially vertical arc, power means for actuating said articulated table,

separate means for adjusting the extent of the separate means for adjusting the extent of the horizontal and vertical movement of said arti'culated table, whereby said articulated table may be moved only vertically or only horizontally, or said movements may be combined to produce the circular or elliptical movement on arcs of different dimensions, and means for shifting the center of movements of said articulated table from a vertical position.

3. A mechanical exerciser comprising a table, a table articulated to said first named table, said articulated table being movable in a substantially horizontal arc and in a substantially vertical arc, power means for actuating said articulated table, separate means for adjusting the extent of the horizontal and vertical movement of said articulated table, whereby said articulated table may be moved only vertically or only horizontally, or said movements may be combined to produce a substantially circular or elliptical movement on arcs of different dimensions, and means for shifting the center of movements of said articulated table in both horizontal and vertical direction, with respect to said table.

4. A mechanical exerciser comprising a table having longitudinal movement in a horizontal direction, a table articulated to said first named table normally level with said table, power-driven means for causing said articulated table to swing in both horizontal and vertical direction, each swing adjustable from zero to maximum, where by said articulated table may move only vertically or only horizontally, or said movements combined to produce a circular or elliptical movement on arcs of different dimensions, mean for shackling the extremities of the human body to the machine at the ends of said table, means for gripping the center of said human body, said gripping means being mounted on said table and having longitudinal movement as said table moves, in a horizontal direction on said body through said longitudinally movable table.

5. A mechanical exerciser comprising a table having longitudinal movement in a horizontal direction, a table articulated to said first named table normally level with said table, powerdriven means for causing said articulated table to swing in both horizontal and vertical direction, each swing adjustable from zero to maximum, whereby said articulated table may move only vertically or only horizontally, or said movements combined to produce a circular or elliptical movement on arcs of different dimensions, means for shackling the extremities of the human body to the machine at the ends of said table, means for gripping the center of said human body, said gripping means being mounted on said table and having longitudinal movement as said table moves, and adjustable means for producing tension on said body through said longitudinally movable table, said adjustable tension means being so movable as to give a tension varying in a sinusoidal curve when the articulated table is swung between the shackled portions of the body.

6. A mechanical exerciser comprising a table having longitudinal movement in a horizontal direction, a' table articulated to said first named table normally level with said table, powerdriven means for causing said articulated table to swing in both horizontal and vertical direction, each swing adjustable from zero to maximum, whereby said articulated table may move only vertically or only horizontally, or said movements combined to produce a circular or elliptical movement on arcs of different dimensions, "mean for shackling the extremities of'the human body to the machine at the ends of said table, means for gripping the center of said :human body, said gripping means being mounted onzsaid table and having longitudinal movement as said table moves, adjustable means for produoing tension on said body through said longitudinally movable table, said adjustable tension means being movable to give a tension varying in a sinusoidal curve when the articulated table is swung, said adjustable tension means having a release mechanism to protect the patient.

7. A mechanical exerciser comprising a table, atable articulated to said first named table, said articulated table being'movable in a substantially horizontal arc and in substantially vertical arc, power means for actuating said articulated'table, separate means for adjusting the extent of the horizontal and vertical movement of said articulated table, whereby said articulated table may be moved only vertically or only horizontally, or both movements may be combined to produce the circular or elliptical movement on arcs of different dimensions, means for shackling the extremities of a human body to the machine at the ends of said table, and means for producing'tension between the shackled portions of the body, said shackling means being adjustable to produce a horizontal rotatable shackle or a fixed shackle, whereby when said articulated table is oscillated horizontally a tension varying in a sinusoidal curve when the articulated table is swung is placed on the body, or an increased tension is placed onone side of the body.

8. A mechanical exerciser comprising a main table having a longitudinal sliding motion in a horizontal direction, a table universally movable normally level with said main table having a hing-e connection with an end of the main table for vertical movement and a pivotal connection perpendicular to said hinge connection permitting substantially horizontal movement of the universally movable table, separate means at the far end of each table for shackling the head and limbs of the body, said means for shackling the limbs being adapted to produce equal tension on each limb, a source of power actuating said universally movable table in both of said move ments; suitable gearing between said source and the vertically moving parts of said universally movable table and other gearing between said source and itshorizontally moving parts; and separate means for manually adjusting the extent of vertical swing and horizontal swing of said universally movable table and each ranging from zero to the maximum permissible, whereby any point on the swiveling table may be caused to describe a circle or an ellipse.

9. A mechanical exerciser including a table surface to support the human body and supporting means therefor, said table surface having a portion thereof adapted for universal movement and connected to the supporting means for said leeve and, consequently, of said universally movable table portion.

10. A mechanical exerciser including a table surface to support the human body and support ing means thereof, said table surface having a portion thereof adapted for universal movement and connected to the supporting means for horizontally swinging movement, said connection comprising a substantially vertical rod, a sleeve mounted to revolve on said rod and on which said universally movable table is carried, an element vertically oscillatableon said sleeve, a prime mover, means actuated by said prime mover for oscillating said element, and a link connection between said oscillatable element and said sleeve for transmitting the oscillations of said element to the sleeve, the connection of said link with said element being adjustable relative to the os cillating axis of said element, whereby the degree of oscillation of said universally movable table may be varied from zero to maximum.

11. A mechanical exerciser including a table surface to support the human body and supporting means therefor, said table surface having a portion ther of adapted for universal movement and connected to the supporting means for horizontally swinging movement, said connection comprising a substantially vertical rod, a sleeve mounted to revolve on said rod and on which said universally movable table is carried, an element vertically oscillatable on said sleeve, a prime mover, means actuated by saidprime mover for oscillating said element, and a link connection between said oscillatable element and said sleeve for transmitting the oscillations of said element to the sleeve, the distance between the points of connection of the link being adjustable for shiftin the center of oscillating movements of said sleeve to either side of its normal center on a horizontal line through the longitudinal center of the table.

12. A mechanical exerciser including a table surface to support the human body and supporting means therefor, said table surface having a portion thereof adapted for universal movement and connected to the supporting means for horizontally swinging movement, said connection comprising a substantially vertical rod, a sleeve mounted to revolve on said rod and on which said universally'movable table is carried, an adjustment carrier vertically oscillatable on said sleeve, a prime mover, meansactuated by said prime mover for oscillating said carrier, a bevel gear fast on said rod, a pinion meshing with said gear and rotatably mounted on the sleeve, a lever fixed to said pinion, an adjustable feed-screw mounted on the carrier, a link connection between said lever and said feed-screw, whereby the distance between the axis of oscillation of the carrier and the link connection with the feed-screw may be adjusted from zero to maximum.

13. A mechanical exerciser including a table surface to support the human body and supporting means therefor, said table surface having a portion thereof adapted for universal movement and connected to said means, said connection comprising a substantially vertical rod, a sleeve surrounding said rod and rotatably supported thereon and on which said universally movable table is carried, an adjustment carrier vertically oscillatable on said sleeve, a prime mover and its gearing secured to said revolvable sleeve, a crank on and actuated by said gearing, rod and clevis connection between said crank and said carrier and an operative connection between said adjustment of said carrier and said sleeve whereby oscillation of said carrier will be transmitted to said sleeve to move the same around .said 'rod, and move said movable table in a substantially horizontal motion around said rod.

14. A mechanical exerciser including a table surface to support the human body andsupporting means there-for, said table surface having a portion thereof adapted for universal movement and connected to the supporting means for vertical swinging movement, said connection comprising a member movable about a substantially horizontal axis and on which said universally movable table is carried, a lever pivoted'on a bracket, an adjustable feed-screw mounted on one arm of said lever, a nut guided to travel thereon, a thrust rod, a socket on said nut for a ball joint, an adjustment feed-screw and nut mounted in suitable bearing in a wall of said supporting table meansga thrust rod connecting said nuts, a prime mover supported by said member and movable therewith, a crank on said prime mover, and link connection between said crank andthe other end of said lever, whereby the rocking of said lever will cause the swinging of said bracket member with all its associated parts, said swinging ranging from zero to maximum permissible.

15. In a mechanical exerciser including a table surface to support the human body and a supporting means therefor, said table surface having a portion thereof adapted for universal movement and connected to said supporting means for vertical and horizontal swinging movements, said connection comp-rising a member rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, a rod rigid with said member and depending therefrom, a sleeve surrounding said rod and rotatably supported thereon and on which said universally movable table is carried, an element vertically oscillatable on said sleeve, a prime mover carried by said sleeve, means actuated by said prime mover for oscillating said element and an operable connection between said oscillatable element and said sleeve for transmitting the oscillations of said element to said sleeve, a bracket on said sleeve, and an operable connection between said prime mover and said bracket for oscillating said sleeve in a vertical direction.

16. A mechanical exerciser as set forth in claim 15, further characterized by said element being anadjustment carrier having a feed-screw therein to which the operable connection between said sleeve and said element is attached for moving said point of connection to and away from the axis of oscillation of said element; and the said operable connection including a lever pivoted intermediate its ends, a vertically disposed feed-screw carried by one end of the lever and having a traveler thereon, the other end of said lever being operatively connected to said prime mover and a thrust rod connected between a relatively stationary part of the apparatus and traveler, the point of connection between said thrust rod and traveler being movable to and from the axis of rotation of said lever.

17. A mechanical exerciser having a cabinet, a main table lengthways slidable thereon, a swiveling table hinged to a stationary support near the inner end of the main table and a central frame adjacent the hinge on the main table and provided with means for securing the middle portion of the body to the central frame; in combination with a tensioning device between said central frame and the cabinet, and means for. adjusting the amount of tension of said tensioning device.v 1

18. A mechanical exerciser having a table lengthways slidably thereon, a tensioning device connected with the slidabletable and a relatively stationary part .of the machine, means for adjusting the amount of tension of said device,:and a release mechanism for, said tensioning device inserted between the connection and the table, said mechanism comprising a pivoted hook-latch on the table (and engaging a complementalportion of the adjacent endofsaid device, and means for disengaging said hook from said end .of the device, thus terminating the tension pull.

19. A mechanical exerciser comprising a table lengthwise slidable thereon, a tensioning device including a tensionurod having oneend connected with said table, a balance beampivoted on said machine and extending in both directions of its pivot point, a Weight mounted to travel on said beam, means for adjusting its position thereon, and positive connection between the other end of said tension rod and the beam engagingthe beam off center of its pivot point.

20. A mechanical exerciser as described in claim 19, further characterized by a releasemech- ,anism for said device including a pivoted hooklatch engaging, a complemental portion of the adjacent end of'said tension rod and mounted on said table, means for disengaging said'hook, at will, from said tension rod, thus terminating the tension pull and means whereby the shift ing of said weight to the opposite end of the beam causes re-engagement between the hook and the tension rod.

2-1. A mechanical exerciser in accordance with claim 19, in which there is a yoke pivoted on said tension rod and a pair of tension springs attached to balance; each other onlsaid yoke.

22. A mechanical exerciser comprising a table, means at the free end of each table for shackling the head of the body and separately shackling the limbs thereof; said means comprising an upright hollow post secured to the table, a

( shaft mounted to turn in said post, a cross-bar at each free end of said shaft, parallel side rods connecting the ends of the upper cross rod to those of the lower cross rod, a pair of supporting members adjustably secured at different heights on said side rods, a shackle bar carried by said members and provided with shackle sleeves and locknuts therefor for attaching the shackles at adjustable distance apart, thereby permitting horizontal turning of said shackle bars around said shaft for equalizing the tension on the limbs, and means for clamping said shaft from turning when such equalizing is not desired.

23. A mechanical exerciser comprising a main table, a table universally movable normally level with said main table, a hinge connection *between the adjacent ends of said table for vertical movement and a pivotal connection perpendicular to said hinge connection for other movement of the swivelling table; means at the free end of each table for shackling the head of the body and separately shackling the limbs thereof; said means comprising an upright hollow post secured to the table, a bracket adapted to be secured at different selected heights on said post, an adjusting screw threaded in said bracket having a ball head, said ball head being adapted for carrying a shackle with a tension scale, a shaft mounted to turn in said post, a cross-bar at each free end of said shaft, parallel side rods connecting the ends of the upper cross rod to those of the lower'cross rod, a pair of supporting members adjustably secured at difierent heights on said] side rods, a. shackle bar carried by said members 'and provided with shackle sleeves and locknuts therefor for attaching the shackles at adjustable distance apart, therebypermitting horizontal turningoi said shackle bars around said shaft for equalizing the tension on the limbs, andmeansfor clamping said shaft from turning when such equalizingis not desired.

24. A mechanical exerciser including a table, axtension device, and means cooperatively related between the table and the tension device wherebythe table may move in response to a variation of the tension in the tension device to maintain said tension substantially uniform.

25. A mechanical exerciser including a movable table, a table articulated to a support on which saidmovabletable slides, tensionmeans carried by the movable table, tension means carried by the articulated table, a weight beam, means for pivotally supporting the weight beam, and means for operatively connecting the pivotally supported weight beam with the movable table.

26.-'A mechanical exerciser including a movable table, a table articulated to a support on which said movable table slides, tension means carried by the movable table, tension means carried by the articulated table, a weight beam, means for pivotally supporting the weight beam, means for operatively connecting the pivotally supported weight beam with the movable table, and adjustable weight means carried by the weight beam whereby the tension imposed upon a patient between said tension means may be varied. l

27. A'mechanical exerciser comprising a movable table, a table articulated to said first named table, shackling means carried on both of said tables, tension means attached to said movable table, means for rotating said articulated table in substantially circular or elliptical rotation, means for oscillating said articulated table in vertical or horizontal oscillation, and means for varying said tension in a sinusoidal curve when said movable table is moved.

28. A mechanical exerciser comprising a table having longitudinal movement in horizontal direction, a table articulated thereto, means for causing said articulated table to oscillate, means for shackling the extremities of the human bodies to the machine at the ends of the said tables, means for gripping the center of said body, said gripping means being mounted on said table and having longitudinal movement as said table moves, and adjustable means for producing tension on said body through said longitudinally movable table, said adjustable tension means being so movable as to give tension varying in a sinusoidal curve when the articulate table is oscillated.

29. A mechanical exerciser comprising a table having longitudinal movement in horizontal direction, a table articulated thereto, means for causing said articulated table to rotate in substantially circular or elliptical motion, means for shackling the extremities of the human bodies to the machine at the ends of the said tables, means for gripping the center of said body, said gripping means being mounted on said table and having longitudinal movement as said table moves, and adjustable means for producing tension ,on said body through said longitudinally movable table, said adjustable tension means being so movable as to give a tension varying in a sinusoidal curve when the articulate table is rotated.

ROY L. DECAMP. 

